I loved the way Mourinho rearranged his attackers against Barca. At once it made his players naturally more rigid, but it also left Barca defenders trying to cope against Madrid players in odd positions. The goal by Ronaldo over Adriano topped it off.

And then earlier in this year’s League Cup final, Zigic regularly won balls against Arsenal by peeling away from the centreback and challenging the shorter full-backs, making full use of his height.

Aesthetics emerge in a variety of ways if one applies there eyes (and mind) accordingly.

]]>By: Thomas Gaunthttp://backpagefootball.com/what-exactly-is-good-football/18867/#comment-39039
Sun, 22 May 2011 07:35:10 +0000http://backpagefootball.com/?p=18867#comment-39039Great article and I personally find Barce (except Messi) and Arsenal two of the most boring teams to watch. I wrote an article on my blog comparing Barce to Blackpool – extreme example yes, but I genuinely gain more enjoyment from Blackpool games, they are more exciting. The passing methodology of Barce and more so Arsenal only works against poor teams. Real Madrid, Chelsea and a few other top teams have had the experience / discipline / patience to just let them have in and pass it 5 yards on the half way line without any damage. Truth is you can elave them there and they cant do any harm. The reason Real recently were beaten by Barce is because Barce possess Lionel Messi, that is what separates the teams – not the 150 passes that Barce string together. I think a lot of people think that if they insult Barce’s play that they will be viewed as a footballing dullard or will be guilty of a lack of sophistication and understanding of the beautiful game – i think that is rubbish, football is a simple game being overcomplicated by over-analysis. If any of the top 10 teams in the world had MEssi they would then become the best team in the world… in my opinion.
]]>By: Stefano Guliziahttp://backpagefootball.com/what-exactly-is-good-football/18867/#comment-38793
Fri, 20 May 2011 03:03:06 +0000http://backpagefootball.com/?p=18867#comment-38793Great piece! I find your ideas fascinating for the sport writer and I have thought myself this season of Wenger’s conflation of moral and aesthetic arguments at the Emirates. As for the atomistic string of quick passes, there may be a tactical reason that shouldn’t be forgotten: whether because of three forwards (Barca) or a ‘high-diamond’ (Arsenal), putting seven men behind the ball and accelerate in elastic waves of counter-reactive soccer may be the definition of the broken team, no matter how pleasing to the view. I think Barca’s hypnotic passing is nervous and compulsive rather than self-indulgent, but it is just an opinion.
]]>By: mcgie76http://backpagefootball.com/what-exactly-is-good-football/18867/#comment-38726
Fri, 20 May 2011 00:24:04 +0000http://backpagefootball.com/?p=18867#comment-38726The “passing the ball around simply for the sake of it.” is actually an important part of their pressing game. It allows the players to rest on the ball without conceding possession and chances against them. Without it, they would be forced into a 100mph game at both ends that would not be nearly as successful. It’s all part of the periodization of play at an extreme micro level. If chances open up they will take them, for sure. But there is most certainly a plan and method behind the madness of passing 5 yards back and forth between two players apparently not under much pressure.
]]>By: Jonathan O'Sheahttp://backpagefootball.com/what-exactly-is-good-football/18867/#comment-38684
Thu, 19 May 2011 16:37:06 +0000http://backpagefootball.com/?p=18867#comment-38684I agree that a diversity of styles benefits the game – it would become pretty dull pretty quickly if every team started aping Barca’s approach.

Disagree, however, that “they also often appear to be passing the ball around simply for the sake of it.”

And “…though it all makes for great stats at the end of the game, it seems to me a pretty pointless and self-indulgent pursuit.”

There is a strong line of reasoning behind why they do this, I believe. This sort of ‘micro-passing’ is crucial in keeping control of the ball without becoming static and predictable – the classic pass & move, if you like. It also tires/demoralises the opposition – acting as Barca’s first line of defence.